Authors Note: I haven't touched this story since November? Runs into a closet, locks the door, and hopes no one will break it down and kill me.
But for reals, I apologize. It was my graduate year in college and I had the super duper fun thesis to write. Now I'm trying to catch up with all my forgotten babies. Hope you like this chapter and I think-think- there will be only one more chapter after this. Possibly-probably-M rated.
Review and give me your input!
Emma is aware of Graham's presence pretty much…always.
When they're in the same room, her senses are overwhelmed with him. The smell of forest, his deep accented voice, the firm warmth of his eyes. She tries to not stare but almost always fails, quite miserably too. And even when they're not in the same room she still knows where he is. Granted, Graham doesn't venture much in the castle save the gardens, his room, and the dining hall but Emma has an uncanny power of always being able to locate him within minutes.
Today, she is surprised to find him in the library. She enters silently at first, just watching him walk slowly through the aisles.
She frowns, though, when she notices the misery shining from his eyes as he gazes at the stack of books.
"What's wrong?" Emma asks when she can no longer bear seeing him so positively miserable.
The look is quickly disposed of and Graham places a mask of calm over his face when he turns to greet her. "Why would something be wrong?"
She rolls her eyes and takes a step forward. "Don't be like that with me. What have you got against books?"
"Nothing at all,"
"Graham"
As a long sigh escapes his lips as Graham's body sags with defeat. He sent another long look toward the shelves. "I can't…well, I never learned to read."
Emma tries to hold back her surprise. Sometimes she forgets that not everyone had the upbringing she did, that she was able to afford the chance to learn to read and write being a noble while others were preoccupied with much more important things such as making a living and surviving. She feels immediately guilty for not having guessed. "Oh"
Graham shrugs. "It's not important. There aren't much books in the forest anyway."
A very stupid part of her almost asked about his time in Regina's castle. Thankfully, she caught herself before she could utter a word. She wouldn't press him to talk about that, not if he didn't initiate the conversation himself. Besides, allowing reading time for her captives, was probably not a kindness the once Evil Queen gave.
Let alone learning to do it in the first place.
"But…" A sudden nervousness crept up Emma's back. "Would you like to? Learn that is?"
He looked at her questioningly.
"I could teach you, if you wanted." Oh dear she was blushing again.
"I wouldn't want to take up any of your time-"
"You wouldn't be!" Emma quickly interjected, maybe a little too quickly. "I would enjoy it, actually."
The smile he gave her immediately washed away all her worry.
"You never told me his name was Graham,"
Snow, lazily lounging on her divan and brushing her daughter's long beautiful hair, paused her ministrations. "Hm?"
Emma tried her best to sound nonchalant. "The Huntsman, you never told me his name was Graham."
Snow continued her brushing, a little slower this time. "It's because I never knew. He never gave me or your father another name to call him by."
"Oh," Emma murmured, dropping the topic.
Snow, however, didn't. "I see the two of you are getting along well."
Emma made a noise of agreement, earning a chuckle from her mother. "You know, Ella and Thomas' anniversary ball is coming up. Perhaps you'd like to ask Graham to go."
Emma was very well aware of the upcoming ball and had been thinking the same thing. Graham hadn't specified how long he would stay with them in the castle and with every upcoming week Emma feared he'd announce it would be his last. How, then, could she ask him to a ball in the near future when she wasn't even sure he'd be around to even attend?
"I don't think he would like balls," Emma decides on staying, figuring it didn't reveal much of her fears or feelings for the main in question. "He doesn't even wear any of the clothes you and Father gave him let alone the proper attire for that."
"Perhaps," Snow mused. "But maybe all he needs is the right motivation."
Emma shrugged wordlessly.
Not so easily dissuaded, Snow kept right up with topic. "I think it would be splendid if Graham attended with us. And think of it, if he was your guest for the evening you won't be bothered by every eligible man in the room for a dance."
Emma held down her excitement at such a prospect. That sounded splendid, actually. An added bonus, though, of taking Graham to the ball-not the main reason. But she couldn't let her mother know that. And she wasn't blind, she knew that was exactly what Snow was trying to get out of her.
"I'll mention it," She decided on saying. It was enough to appease her mother…for the moment.
As excepted, Graham barely blinked when she brought it up.
They were going through a particularly long volume of a collection of local folk lore, one Emma wouldn't have forced on him if he hadn't insisted. He wanted to learn about the mystic beings people believed lingered in the forests, if not for his education then for his amusement. So far, so good. He was quick learner and wasn't afraid to ask questions. And Emma surprised herself by being a very patient teacher (a trait she was definitely not known for).
"Their balls are usually on the more exciting side," Emma continued as Graham continued to examine a full page illustration of some two headed monster. "Fireworks and all that. Ella wasn't a noble for a while so she likes to go big and Thomas just loves to spoil her."
Graham silently nodded.
"And Mother and Father usually stay up so late when we visit, Papa and Thomas are very close you see. The party seems to never end for those four and I feel so out of the loop sometimes."
"You are younger," Graham pointed out, his eyes still fixed on the page.
"Yes, that's true. I do wind up hanging out with Alexandra most of the time. But she's, well, more Princess-y then me."
Now that got his attention. He raised his head up with a wide grin. "Princess-y?"
Emma shrugged with sudden shyness. "You know. Ball gowns and dancing and mingling. She lives for that stuff."
"And you?"
"It's okay, once in a while. In doses."
"And this ball is one of those?"
"Exactly."
Graham gave a hum of consent and returned to the book.
Emma gritted her teeth. He was being evasive, obviously, but she wasn't being so straightforward either. But hell if he wasn't making it easy… "Graham," She all but groaned.
He grinned mischievous down at his book. "If there's something you'd like to ask Emma, then you just should."
"Do you want to go?" She blurted out, unable to keep it in any longer. "The ball, with me. Ah, would you?"
"Why Emma I thought you'd never ask."
"Stop being such an ass! I was only trying to feel you out. You're not exactly the type of guy who I think would like to a ball."
"No, they're probably not on the top of my list."
"Then don't come," Emma said immediately, already feeling embarrassment building up inside her. "If you don't like them, you don't have to. It was just a suggestion-"
"Emma, I said I would go."
"But only because I asked. Really, you wouldn't hurt my feelings." Yes, it would hurt her feelings.
He finally placed down that infernal book and reached across the table to grasp her hands. "Yes, I'm going because you asked me. But I'm also going because I want to. Trust me."
And that was that. Graham never lied to her, ever, so she trusted that he wasn't doing this at the risk of his own discomfort. Besides, she just vowed to make it one of the enjoyable nights of his life.
"Oh Emma, you look beautiful!"
Snow was circling her like a vulture, gushing and awing over every little part of her outfit. David stood still, laughing at his wife, but watching Emma with a adoring eye as well.
It really wasn't the most extravagant dress she'd ever worn, and her hair had seen better styles. But tonight she wanted to look a little more natural and relaxed. Pretty, but like she wasn't trying. Her hair was down in long waves, only parts of it pinned to the back with an emerald clip. Her dress was also a dark green color, simple and silk without any more adornments, and had a sweetheart cut style to it.
"I love this color on you," Snow continued on, smoothing down some fabric near her ribs. "It compliments you beautifully."
"Okay Snow, we have to go or we'll be late," David announced with a chuckle. He gently grabbed his wife by the waist and twirled her toward the door, the two laughing as they moved. "Besides I can't wait to dance with you."
"Charming!" Snow giggled when he bent down for a kiss.
Emma rolled her eyes as they disappeared outside.
"It's quite something to see them like that, true love right before your eyes." A voice commented behind her.
Emma twirled around to face Graham, and her eyes widened. She had meant to tell him that it got really old seeing her parents like that (like, really old) but her mind had went blank within seconds. She had always ever seen him in his huntsman entire. It had suited him well, and she had never even thought to imagine him wearing something else. And this…well, even if she had imagined, she was sure she would have never come up with this.
David always dressed the Princely part. Tights, sashes, medals, capes, and puffy shirts. It was his thing. And it wasn't like he didn't wear it well. All the men Emma was sued to see usually did the same as well. She had figured her father had handed similar attire to Graham. But instead, he was dressed in fitting pants, made of deep black material with a leather belt and shining golden buckle. His white shirt wasn't puffy but fitting as well, covered by a long regal looking black coat. Golden cuff links as well. He, like her, was pulling off the handsome but not really trying look. Much better than her Emma couldn't help but think. His boots, usually worn and dirty, were new and made of black leather that reached right below his knees. Gold buckles there too. Whoever had made this up for him had obviously wanted to accent some affluence.
"Is this…okay?"
Emma snapped out of her stupor and cleared her throat. "Um, what?"
Graham ducked his head in embarrassment. Oh, how she loved these moments. Graham was practically never embarrassed. The times he was were so few and far in between that when it actually did happen, Emma couldn't just let it go. Besides, he looked completely adorable when doing it.
"You know I never dress like this. I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject so I wouldn't know if it was wrong or not. I trust your father but, I mean, if this isn't okay-I can change. I'm sure there is something else I could find quickly-"
"Graham," Emma laughed and reached forward, grabbing his hands with hers. "You look perfect. Really. Quite the gentleman if I do say so myself."
A faint bush was tinting his cheeks. "Are you sure?"
"Would I lie to you?"
He ducked his head again and Emma's heart swelled more.
"Now come on, I don't want to leave my parents alone for too long in the carriage or who knows what we'll be walking in on."
The ball was as Emma promised, with no holds back.
A blue theme this time round, so there was banners, ribbons, and assortments of flowers made up of different shades of the color littered all around. Almost obnxioisuly so. But, somehow, it all looked elegant and every ooed and awed over it all night long. No doubt there would be some blue fireworks but the nights end. And Emma had to give kudos to whoever managed to make every drink, alcoholic and otherwise, into a bright neon sky blue color.
Graham seemed a little put off by it, initially, but grew more comfortable as the night went on. It helped that she didn't leave his side. Not that she wanted to, she much preferred his company over anyone else's. He got her humor, and she got his. There was no awkward moments and every joke and teasing moment were completely understood. He would ask her to explain certain things to her, such as specific platters of food, and she would revel in teasing him, saying they were one thing but they were actually another. He was quick to catch on to her games and would play along, going so far to exclaim rather loudly in front of a group of people that he never had dragon's bladder before.
And her mother had been right, he did scare off any potential dance partners.
All except one.
Philip Junior, Aurora and Philip's eldest son, was never one to back down from a challenge. He was a little on the arrogant side, completely cocky, and seemed to like Emma the more she expressed her disinterest in him. He was handsome, granted, but she liked a little more in a man. And Graham's presence did little to stop him from asking for a dance.
"Princess Emma, may I have the honor?" He asked, bowing deeply. Of course he didn't even acknowledge Graham's existence.
Emma rolled her eyes before Philip rose back up, and Graham gave a hint of a smile.
"If you don't mind?" Emma asked Graham, hoping he would say no. An empty hope, of course.
"Not at all," He bowed his head and took a step back. "Don't have too much fun without me."
As if that was even a possibility.
Emma tried to keep her eye on him as Philip began to twirl her around, but she lost him at some point, the crowd to large and think to see through.
"So, your friend, the Huntsman," Philip began, trying to catch her attention. "How kind of you to bring him here tonight."
Emma gritted her teeth. "He did me the kindness in accepting my invitation."
"Yes, but, my Princess, it is you who is truly do a service."
Oh hell no.
"One, Philip, I am not your Princess. And two, it is nothing near a service. It's an honor to be with such a man, one who helped save my parents and my own existence, and he is more a gentleman and hero than many here tonight."
Philip immediately blanched. No doubt he was quick to forget exactly what Graham had done for his family and content to know all he was a man who lived in a forest.
"I meant no offense, I assure you-"
"I'm not exactly sure what you meant-"
"Princess-"
The instruments stopped playing and the crowd clapped softly. "Oh would you look at that, songs over. Thank you for the dance."
She walked away before he could stutter out another word.
"Emma!" A lean, tall body nearly tackled her to ground just as she made her way off the dance floor.
"Alexandra!" Emma laughed, catching her balance before they both stumbled to the ground. "A simple hello would have sufficed."
"I don't think so since you've been avoiding me!" She pouted cutely and crossed her arms over chest. "I get you have a fine piece of specimen as a date tonight but come on Emma, friends before men!"
Emma laughed. "Graham isn't use to these kind of things, I wanted to make him comfortable."
"Graham eh? Everyone is just calling him the Huntsman. But I see you two are on a first name basis."
"It's not-we're just friends Alex."
"Sure, I have a friend to share sappy doe eye looks with too."
"We do not!"
"Emma, you're giving your parents a run for their money."
She grabbed a cup of blue before Alex could notice her red cheeks. Emma threw it back and grew clam with its cold cooling affect. "Alex you're being ridiculous." She wasn't, not really, but Emma wasn't sure what she and Graham were to each other. Until then, it wasn't like she could discuss it with people.
"Oh, look whose here. Her Majesty."
A jolt flew up her spine and Emma dropped her cup. It broke against the stone floor, but she barely heard it or Alex's gasp. Even as the girl grabbed her hand, inspecting it for any cuts, Emma barely felt it.
"Regina is here?" She heard herself ask. "I thought she wasn't coming?"
"I guess she changed her mind. You know her flare for dramatics."
"I-I have to go." Go find Graham. Make sure he was okay. She knew nothing of his relationship with Regina after their very twisted past, but she was sure it was nothing good. Her mother had told her Regina had declined tonight's invitation so she hadn't thought twice about it. But now…
And when Emma found Graham, she also found Regina.
He was standing beside her parents, and Regina stood across from them with Robin Hood. They were all giving each other polite smiles but Emma could clearly feeling the tension thick in the air.
"Emma," Robin greeted, noticing her first. "Pleasure to see you again."
Emma had always liked Robin, he was a very good natured man who had a brilliant sense of humor. Dry wit as well. She always appreciated that. And he certainly knew how to handle Regina.
"Robin," Emma smiled, nodding her head. She immediately went to Graham's side and didn't think twice as she curled her arm around his. Normally, she wasn't so protective, or even possessive. Then again, she probably never had a reason to be until now. "Regina," Emma than greeted.
Regina gave one of those sly smiles of hers, full of red lipstick and sass. "Emma, looking lovely as usual."
"Thank you," She replied, then glanced at Graham.
He seemed fine. He was smiling and didn't look as put off as she suspected. She didn't even feel any distress radiating off him. But as the band began to start up again, she couldn't help but want to save him from the situation. "Dance with me?" She asked.
He nodded and they both gave their goodbyes before going back onto the dance floor.
The moment they were alone, his arm around her waist and their hands holding onto each other, Emma began rambling.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know she was coming. Had I know, I-well, I don't know but I'm sorry. And I hope you're okay, and if you want to leave that's totally fine-"
"Emma" Graham said gently, squeezing her waist. "I'm fine."
She shook her head. "Really, if you want to go-"
"I don't want to go," He assured. "I'm perfectly fine. I don't mind she's here."
"Really?"
"Really. Emma, Regina and I have a past, that's no secret. But I've come to peace with it. I don't-I can't let it hold me down. She has moved on and so have I. I have my heart back, that's all that is important. All I'm interested in now is the future."
"The future?" Emma echoed. "Like what?"
"Like…" She felt him bring them closer together. Felt their bodies align at their fronts, became painfully aware of every point they were touching. He released her hand to curl that arm around her waist as well, and, with no other choice, placed her hands at the base of his neck. It took an extreme amount of will power for her not to play with the curls that tickled her skin. "You"
"Me?" She all but squeaked.
"Emma, I realize you and I are….quite different. In more ways than one. And I would understand if…." He trailed off, suddenly unsure. "I can return to the forest whenever you wish, tomorrow even-"
"Graham," Emma was floating too high in the sky to properly understand what was going on. To even accept it was happening. But here she was, dancing with Graham, pressed up against him, with him saying these words. "What are you exactly trying to say?
He licked his lips. "That I…would like to court you. If, ah, that's okay with you."
Emma's eyes widened and she forgot she had to answer for a moment.
"Like I said, I could leave tomorrow-"
"Yes," She blurted out. "Yes, I would like that…um, yea."
Now they were both blushing but smiling like fools.
"Did I do that right?" He asked with a nervous chuckle. "Was it a proper proposal?"
Emma giggled right back. "Very proper. Do that all on your own?"
"Your mother may have helped. And I of course had to asked your father's permission first."
"You didn't!"
"I may live in a forest but I know some proper etiquette. You are the Princess after all, didn't want to look like a duntz. And while he may have had some reservations about my age, I won him over. It helped I saved his life once."
"I could imagine. So what do we do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're courting me. Impress me Huntsman, like you said, I am the Princess. It's not a easy task."
"Oh, I will enjoy rising to the challenge."